John William Waterhouse painting 1888
The lady of Shalott is a ballad by Lord Tennyson, it is about a mysterious lady who lives on a castle on an island, whose river flows to Camelot. She is under a mysterious curse and cannot look out the windows and must always weave on her loom and only has a mirror through which she can look out the window behind her. One day she hears Lancelot riding to Camelot and is so distracted she looks up from her loom, bringing the mysterious curse upon her. She leaves her tower, paints her name on a little boat, lays down in it to float to Camelot and dies before reaching there.
Do yourself a favour and read the whole thing here if you haven't, it is rather lovely. I know every blog ever has a Lady of Shalott reference somewhere, but it is worth it. There is also a charming little Youtube video here
Lady of Shalott in art:
William Holman Hunt
W.E.F Britten
John William Waterhouse
John William Waterhouse, The lady of Shalott looking at Lancelot
Elaine arrives at Camelot
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(all pics courtesy of Wikipedia)
Enjoy!
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